Dar receives calls from EU, Qatar, regional counterparts as Pakistan drives US-Iran ceasefire

Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong on Wednesday appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role in promoting peace and security in the Middle East and Gulf region during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on X, Ambassador Zaidong conveyed China’s deep appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace and security in the Middle East and Gulf region.

The statement further noted that FM Dar reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued commitment to promoting dialogue and diplomacy as essential tools for achieving lasting peace and stability in the Middle East and West Asia.

“Both sides expressed hope that the ongoing efforts would lead to lasting peace and security in the region for the benefit of all parties,” the statement read.

Earlier, FM Dar discussed the evolving regional situation and called for a lasting peace process during a series of telephone conversations with regional counterparts and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

According to MOFA, during a telephone conversation with Kallas, FM Dar discussed recent regional developments.

It said Dar highlighted Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy for lasting peace, while Kallas praised Islamabad’s role in creating space for diplomacy, including facilitating the initial US-Iran ceasefire, and expressed full EU support for Pakistan’s ongoing peace initiatives.

FM Dar held a telephone conversation with Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, as part of Pakistan’s intensifying diplomatic outreach amid rapidly evolving regional developments.

“During the call, Dar highlighted Islamabad’s sustained efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy for peace and stability, while the Qatari minister appreciated Pakistan’s constructive role,” it said.

FM Dar also had a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, where both discussed the latest developments in the region.

“Dar highlighted Pakistan’s continued willingness to promote dialogue and diplomatic engagement and shared the latest developments in Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace and stability in the region,” it said.

Dar also spoke with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and exchanged views on developments in the regional situation.

“FM Dar highlighted the latest developments in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to promote dialogue and diplomatic engagement to promote peace and stability in the region,” the statement said.

According to MOFA, in conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, the two leaders discussed the regional situation and developments in the Middle East and the wider region.

“FM Dar shared the latest developments in Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote dialogue and diplomatic engagement in the pursuit of peace and stability in the region,” it said.

Breakthrough of ceasefire

Last night, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the United States and Iran, along with their allies, had agreed to an immediate two-week ceasefire under a Pakistani-facilitated framework.

In a post on X, the prime minister said the ceasefire would take effect “everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere,” and invited US and Iranian delegations to Islamabad on April 10 for talks aimed at a final settlement.

The announcement followed a dramatic shift by US President Donald Trump, who agreed to the pause shortly before a deadline linked to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, signaled a willingness to halt counterattacks and ensure safe passage through the strategic waterway, conditional on the cessation of hostilities.

The understanding, described as the “Islamabad negotiating framework”, was the result of sustained backchannel diplomacy led by Pakistan, which facilitated exchanges between Washington and Tehran and helped bridge key differences.